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Lefties Alvarez, Coke will be among callups

Lefties Alvarez, Coke will be among callups

8/16/13: Jose Alvarez strikes out five over 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball against the Royals, allowing five hits while walking three

By Jason Beck and Bobby Nightengale
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MLB.com |

DETROIT -- The Tigers made a roster move before Thursday's game, because they needed a fresh arm in the bullpen, calling up Luke Putkonen and sending Jose Alvarez to Triple-A. In three days that won't be necessary, when the active roster expands to 40 players on Sunday.

The Tigers have announced that left-handers Phil Coke and Alvarez as well as catcher Bryan Holaday will be added to the team in September, but manager Jim Leyland said there will be more players added on Sunday and after Triple-A Toledo's season ends on Monday.

"I think we're pretty much settled," Leyland said. "But the reason we're not going to have any announcement is because they are going to be spaced [out during the week]."

Historically, Leyland has preferred to call up players that he knows he will use in games, rather than prospects who will only gain experience by sitting.

"In our case, you might have an extra pitcher that gives you a little more availability in the bullpen," Leyland said. "You might have an extra player, in our case, because we have to run possibly for [Miguel] Cabrera or something. Nothing sophisticated about it, it just is what it is."